Thundering hoofs game systems

ABSTRACT

A thundering hoofs game system for a game of horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner. The thundering hoofs game system may include a race track, horse-shaped figurines, saddle cloths, game move instructional cards, a calculator, a set of play money, auction forms, betting tickets, race card setup forms, a race-start indicator, a race-finish indicator, a stamp, trading cards, containers, a dice, a tote bag, and a set of user instructions in combination to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner A method of using a thundering hoofs game system may include auctioning horses to owners, selecting the type of horse race to run with game-play, placing bets for a horse race, completing a horse race with game-play, and cashing in winning bets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of game-sets and more specifically relates to a thundering hoofs game system.

2. Description of Related Art

A board game is a tabletop game that involves counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or “board”, according to a set of rules. Some games are based on pure strategy, but many contain an element of chance; and some are purely chance, with no element of skill. Games usually have a goal that a player aims to achieve. Early board games represented a battle between two armies, and most modern board games are still based on defeating opposing players in terms of counters, winning position, or accrual of points. There are many varieties of board games. Their representation of real-life situations can range from having no inherent theme (e.g., checkers), to having a specific theme and narrative (e.g., Cluedo). Rules can range from the very simple (e.g., Tic-tac-toe), to those describing a game universe in great detail (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons), although most of the latter are role-playing games where the board is secondary to the game, serving to help visualize the game scenario. The time required to learn to play or master a game varies greatly from game to game, but is not necessarily correlated with the number or complexity of rules; games like chess or go possess relatively simple rulesets, but have great strategic depth.

Some games can be directed towards having fun while teaching a specific skill set, such as teaching money management for budding real estate investors. Not all specific skill sets are included in game-sets. A suitable solution is desired.

Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. and Pub. Nos. 3,690,666 to Seitz; 4,729,568 to Welsh; 3,416,802 to Garcia; 4,199,147 to Stansberry; 4,729,568 to Welsh; and 2012/0319352 to Smolka. This art is representative of game-sets. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Preferably, a game-set should provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable thundering hoofs game system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known game-set art, the present invention provides a novel thundering hoofs game system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner

The thundering hoofs game system may comprise the oval race track, the plurality of horse-shaped figurines, the plurality of the saddle cloths, the plurality of game move instructional cards, the calculator, the set of play money, the plurality of auction forms, the plurality of betting tickets, the plurality of race card setup forms, the race-start indicator, the race-finish indicator, the stamp, the plurality of trading cards, the plurality of containers, the dice, the tote bag, and the set of user instructions in combination to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner

The thundering hoofs game system may comprise a kit including the oval race track, the plurality of horse-shaped figurines the plurality of saddle cloths, the plurality of game move instructional cards, the calculator, the set of play money, the plurality of auction forms, the plurality of betting tickets, the plurality of race card setup forms, the race-start indicator, the race-finish indicator, the stamp, the plurality of trading cards, the plurality of containers, the dice, the tote bag, and the set of user instructions.

A method of using a thundering hoofs game system may comprise the steps of auctioning horses to owners, selecting type of horse race to run with game-play, placing bets for the horse race, completing the horse race with game-play, and cashing in winning bets. The method of using a thundering hoofs game system further may comprise the steps of disassembling an oval race track, and placing components of a thundering hoofs game assembly in a tote bag for travel between locations of game-play.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a game-set. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, thundering hoofs game system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a thundering hoofs game system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing thundering hoofs game assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the thundering hoofs game system comprising a thundering hoofs game assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an overhead perspective view illustrating thundering hoofs game system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of thundering hoofs game system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for thundering hoofs game system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a game-set and more particularly to a thundering hoofs game system as used to improve the game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner

Generally speaking, thundering hoofs game system is a learning game to teach game players multiple aspects of the horse racing industry. Trading cards teach game players about previous horse racing champions. Horse auction game play teaches game players the process of acquiring and selling horses. Betting game play teaches game players the process to wager on horse racing, and the variations to the game board teach game players the different types of races available in horse racing.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a thundering hoofs game system in an “in-use” condition 150, showing user-player 140 involved with thundering hoofs game assembly 110 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thundering hoofs game assembly 110 may comprise oval race track 160, plurality of horse-shaped figurines 165, plurality of game move instructional cards 170, calculator 175, set of play money 180, plurality of auction forms 185, plurality of betting tickets 190, plurality of race card setup forms 195, race-start indicator 200, race-finish indicator 201, stamp 205, plurality of trading cards 210, plurality of containers 215, dice 220, and set of user instructions 230 in combination to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner.

Referring now to FIG. 2, showing a perspective view of a thundering hoofs game assembly 110. Thundering hoofs game assembly 110 may comprise oval race track 160. Oval race track 160, may further comprise plurality of equal lengths 161, and plurality of hook-and-loop attachers 162.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an overhead perspective view of thundering hoofs game system 100. Thundering hoofs game system 100 may comprise a thundering hoofs game assembly 110, which may further comprise oval race track 160, plurality of horse-shaped figurines 165, plurality of saddle cloths 166, plurality of game move instructional cards 170, calculator 175, set of play money 180, plurality of auction forms 185, plurality of betting tickets 190, plurality of race card setup forms 195, race-start indicator 200, race-finish indicator 201, stamp 205, plurality of trading cards 210, plurality of containers 215, dice 220, tote bag 225, and set of user instructions 230.

In further referring to FIG. 3, the plurality of horse-shaped figurines 165 may include removably-coupleable jockey figurines. The oval race track 160 may comprise plurality of equal lengths 161 and plurality of hook-and-loop attachers 162. Plurality of hook-and-loop attachers 162 may be removably coupled with the plurality of lengths, useful for forming oval race track 160. Plurality of equal lengths 161 may comprise a plurality of panels 164, useful for simulating distance 163 suitable for modularly constructing a plurality of race combinations. Distance 163 may further comprise twelve spaces, useful for advancing or retreating in a game move.

In continuing to refer to FIG. 3, plurality of saddle cloths 166 comprise numerical identification indicia 167, useful for placing on said plurality of horse-shaped figurines 165 for recognition of a user-player 140 game piece. Game move instructional cards 170 comprise indicia useful for guiding a game player to advance or retreat in a game move when user-player 140 lands on a space directing use of game move instructional cards 170. Plurality of auction forms 185 comprise indicia useful for simulating performance of a horse auction activity. Plurality of betting tickets 190 comprise indicia useful for simulating placement of a bet on a horse race activity. Set of play money 180 may comprise denominations useful for accompanying the betting tickets 190 for the simulating placement of a bet. Plurality of race card setup forms 195 may comprise indicia useful for simulating a plurality of horse race activities. Race-start indicator 200 may comprise a movable token useful for indicating a starting location of horse race activity. The race-finish indicator 201 may comprise a movable token useful for indicating an ending location of horse race activity. The plurality of trading cards 210 comprise race horse statistical indicia. The plurality of containers 215 may comprise an inner volume 216, useful for storing and retrieving a user-player's 140 game components. Stamp 205 may comprise indicia useful for adjusting status of the plurality of betting tickets 190, useful for indicating a post-race payout. Tote bag 225 may comprise a storage volume useful for containing the thundering hoofs game assembly 110 for travel between locations of game-play.

It should be noted that thundering hoofs game system system 100 may be sold as kit 440 comprising the following parts: at least one oval race track 160; at least one plurality of horse-shaped figurines 165; at least one plurality of saddle cloths 166; at least one plurality of game move instructional cards 170; at least one calculator 175; at least one set of play money 180; at least one plurality of auction forms 185; at least one plurality of betting tickets 190; at least one plurality of race card setup forms 195; at least one race-start indicator 200; at least one race-finish indicator 201; at least one stamp 205; at least one plurality of trading cards 210; at least one plurality of containers 215; at least one dice 220; at least one tote bag 225; and at least one set of user instructions 230. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Thundering hoofs game system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 4, showing an alternative embodiment of thundering hoofs game system 100, useful for entertaining game players. Game players may auction horses to owners, select type of horse race to run with game-play, place bets for a horse race, roll dice, completing a horse race with game-play, and cash in winning bets.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other thundering hoofs game system arrangements such as a mobile device application, console game, television projection game, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use 500 for thundering hoofs game system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of use 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501, auctioning horses to owners; step two 502, selecting type of horse race to run with game-play; step three 503, placing bets for the horse race; step four 504, completing the horse race with game-play; step five 505, cashing in winning bets; step six 506, disassembling a oval race track; and step seven 507, placing components of a thundering hoofs game assembly in a tote bag for travel between locations of game-play.

It should be noted that steps six and seven are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A thundering hoofs game system comprising: a thundering hoofs game assembly comprising; an oval race track comprising; a plurality of equal lengths; and a plurality of hook-and-loop attachers; a plurality of horse-shaped figurines; a plurality of saddle cloths; a plurality of game move instructional cards; a calculator; a set of play money; a plurality of auction forms; a plurality of betting tickets; a plurality of race card setup forms; a race-start indicator; a race-finish indicator; a stamp; a plurality of trading cards; a plurality of containers; a dice; a tote bag; and a set of user instructions; wherein said thundering hoofs game system comprises said thundering hoofs game assembly; wherein said thundering hoofs game assembly comprises said oval race track, said plurality of horse-shaped figurines, said plurality of said saddle cloths, said plurality of game move instructional cards, said calculator, said set of play money, said plurality of auction forms, said plurality of betting tickets, said plurality of race card setup forms, said race-start indicator, said race-finish indicator, said stamp, said plurality of trading cards, said plurality of containers, said dice, said tote bag, and said set of user instructions in combination to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner; wherein said oval race track comprises said plurality of equal lengths and said plurality of hook-and-loop attachers; and wherein said thundering hoofs game system is useful for entertaining players.
 2. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of equal lengths comprises a plurality of panels, useful for simulating a distance suitable for modularly constructing a plurality of race combinations.
 3. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said distance comprises twelve spaces, useful for advancing or retreating in a game move.
 4. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of hook-and-loop attachers are removably coupled with said plurality of lengths, useful for forming said oval race track.
 5. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of saddle cloths comprise numerical identification indicia, useful for placing on said plurality of horse-shaped figurines for game player recognition of a game piece.
 6. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 3 wherein said game move instructional cards comprise indicia useful for guiding a game player to advance or retreat in said game move.
 7. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of auction forms comprise indicia useful for simulating performance of a horse auction activity.
 8. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of betting tickets comprise indicia useful for simulating placement of a bet on a horse race activity.
 9. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 8 wherein said set of play money comprises denominations useful for accompanying said betting tickets for said simulating placement of said bet.
 10. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of race card setup forms comprising indicia useful for simulating a plurality of said horse race activities.
 11. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said race-start indicator comprises a movable token useful for indicating a starting location of said horse race activity.
 12. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said race-finish indicator comprises a movable token useful for indicating an ending location of said horse race activity.
 13. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of trading cards comprise race horse statistical indicia.
 14. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of containers comprises an inner volume, useful for storing and retrieving a game player's game components.
 15. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said stamp comprises indicia useful for adjusting status of said plurality of betting tickets, useful for indicating a post-race payout.
 16. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 1 wherein said tote bag comprises a storage volume useful for containing said thundering hoofs game assembly for travel between locations of game-play.
 17. A thundering hoofs game system comprising: a thundering hoofs game assembly comprising; an oval race track comprising; a plurality of equal lengths; and a plurality of hook-and-loop attachers; a plurality of horse-shaped figurines; a plurality of saddle cloths; a plurality of game move instructional cards; a calculator; a set of play money; a plurality of auction forms; a plurality of betting tickets; a plurality of race card setup forms; a race-start indicator; a race-finish indicator; a stamp; a plurality of trading cards; a plurality of containers; a dice; a tote bag; and a set of user instructions; wherein said thundering hoofs game system comprises said thundering hoofs game assembly; wherein said oval race track comprises said plurality of equal lengths and said plurality of hook-and-loop attachers; wherein said thundering hoofs game system is useful for entertaining players; wherein said plurality of equal lengths comprises a plurality of panels, useful for simulating a distance suitable for modularly constructing a plurality of race combinations; wherein said distance comprises twelve spaces, useful for advancing or retreating in a game move; wherein said plurality of hook-and-loop attachers are removably coupled with said plurality of lengths, useful for forming said oval race track; wherein said plurality of saddle cloths comprise numerical identification indicia, useful for placing on said plurality of horse-shaped figurines useful for game player recognition of a game piece; wherein said game move instructional cards comprise indicia useful for guiding a game player to advance or retreat in said game move; wherein said plurality of auction forms comprise indicia useful for simulating performance of a horse auction activity; wherein said plurality of betting tickets comprise indicia useful for simulating placement of a bet on a horse race activity; wherein said set of play money comprises denominations useful for accompanying said betting tickets for said simulating placement of said bet; wherein said plurality of race card setup forms comprising indicia useful for simulating a plurality of said horse race activities; wherein said race-start indicator comprises a movable token useful for indicating a starting location of said horse race activity; wherein said race-finish indicator comprises a movable token useful for indicating an ending location of said horse race activity; wherein said plurality of trading cards comprise race horse statistical indicia; wherein said plurality of containers comprises an inner volume, useful for storing and retrieving a game player's game components; wherein said stamp comprises indicia useful for adjusting status of said plurality of betting tickets, useful for indicating a post-race payout; wherein said tote bag comprises a storage volume useful for containing said thundering hoofs game assembly for travel between locations of game-play; and wherein said thundering hoofs game comprises said oval race track, said plurality of horse-shaped figurines, said plurality of said saddle cloths; said plurality of game move instructional cards, said calculator, said set of play money, said plurality of auction forms, said plurality of betting tickets, said plurality of race card setup forms, said race-start indicator, said race-finish indicator, said stamp, said plurality of trading cards, said plurality of containers, said dice, said tote bag, and said set of user instructions in combination to provide a game about horse racing in a challenging and entertaining manner
 18. The thundering hoofs game system of claim 17 further comprising a kit including: said oval race track, said plurality of horse-shaped figurines, said plurality of saddle cloths, said plurality of game move instructional cards, said calculator, said set of play money, said plurality of auction forms, said plurality of betting tickets, said plurality of race card setup forms, said race-start indicator, said race-finish indicator, said stamp, said plurality of trading cards, said plurality of containers, said dice, said tote bag, and said set of user instructions.
 19. A method of using a thundering hoofs game system comprising the steps of: auctioning horses to owners; selecting type of horse race to run with game-play; placing bets for said horse race; completing said horse race with game-play; cashing in winning bets.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of: disassembling a oval race track; and placing components of a thundering hoofs game assembly in a tote bag for travel between locations of game-play. 